The Grand Canyon’s highlight, Oscar Frayer, died in a car accident in northern California early Tuesday morning, according to a school statement. He was 23 years old.
Frayer’s older sister, Andrea Moore, and a third person in her vehicle also died in the accident, the school confirmed.
Frayer, a 1.80m tall senior / forward guard, started in the 86-74 defeat of the Grand Canyon to Iowa in the first round of the NCAA tournament last week. He ended the game with eight points, five assists, three blocks and a steal.
It was his 107th match for the Antelopes.
“On the court, Oscar was known as the ‘High Flyer’ and will be remembered for his high dunks, tenacious defense and game-changing blocks,” the school said in a statement on Thursday. “Off the court, he will be remembered for his infectious smile, energetic spirit and caring soul that made him one of the most beloved students on campus.”
Grand Canyon coach Bryce Drew added in the team’s statement: “We love ‘O.’ He was the heart of our team with his vibrant and energetic personality. I cannot express in words the pain and sadness we all feel, but we know that he is in heaven and it gives us great joy to know that we will be together again. “
According to local authorities, a California Highway Patrol vehicle was hit from behind by the car Frayer was in while two police officers were helping a vehicle stranded on a highway near Lodi, California, around 2:30 am on Tuesday. Frayer’s vehicle hit a tree and was engulfed in flames. The officers were transported to a local hospital with “serious injuries”, according to the California Highway Patrol, but both are expected to survive.
Frayer had already graduated and graduated in communication. He was scheduled to attend the school’s graduation ceremony next month.
From him final message to his team on Twitter, said, “It’s love forever.”
People across the basketball community in Oakland, California, where Frayer was a high school star, expressed their condolences.
Former Cal star Ivan Rabb, who fought Frayer at the preparatory level, tweeted a broken heart.
Liam Lloyd, one of Frayer’s teammates at GCU, said the veteran it was his “older brother”.
Frayer was raised by his mother after his father died in a car accident when he was 7 years old. His biography on Twitter says: “Rest in peace, father”.
The school will hold a “celebration of life” service at the GCU Arena on Tuesday to honor Frayer and those in the GCU community who lost their lives during the academic year.